The 9th RISE prison program cohort at the Nebraska Correctional Center for Women has officially graduated! These women presented innovative business ideas to volunteers and family members, gaining not only entrepreneurial skills but also confidence, hope, and a renewed sense of connection. At RISE, our prison program empowers participants to rebuild their futures and strengthen community ties.

On April 16th, 2025 18 participants confidently pitched their business ideas to 37 community volunteers (!!!) and crossed the graduation stage with purpose. RISE has now celebrated 836 In-Prison Program graduates and counting!

On March 28th, 21 RISE participants pitched their business ideas to 21 community volunteers, celebrated their growth with over 30 loved ones, and graduated with a renewed sense of purpose and possibility.

Union Pacific in Omaha, Nebraska hosts a RISE Reentry Simulation.

“The RISE reentry simulation was an incredibly impactful event for our team. It built a profound awareness of the challenges that justice-impacted individuals face, an awareness that I am confident our team will carry with them for many years to come.”

While reentry can never be fully understood without personal lived experience, creating a learning experience can, at the very least, encourage empathy and avenue for change.

Thousands of people who are incarcerated in Nebraska’s county jails will have access to voting rights information this week thanks to a mass mailing organized by the American Civil Liberties Union of Nebraska and reentry organization RISE. Educational pamphlets produced by the organizations began arriving at the jails yesterday.

On June 11th, 2024 the 9th RISE Cohort at the Omaha Correctional Center pitched their business ideas and graduated!

At ISE we are building a volunteer opportunity service for RISE Graduates who want to give back! One of the recurring things we hear is, “I want to give back but nobody will give me a chance.”

April is also National Volunteer Month. RISE would not be able to do this work without the care, support, and kindness of our volunteers. We have a special, trusting, and trustworthy group of volunteers.

Although Nebraska has an unemployment rate of 2.3%, the state is faced with a workforce shortage.

We believe that people who have been impacted by the criminal justice system are the most integral voices in advocating for change. Nebraska needs all of its citizens to vote, there should not be a wait to participate.

Nebraska's 108th Legislature, 2nd Regular Session began yesterday, January 3rd, and it was right to business. Learn more about the day and how to follow along here.

"I've been told that I've matured and have become more disciplined, I am not as quick to be angered, and I've become more educated because of this program and others.”

In February, 129 people volunteered their time by reviewing the cover letters, resumes, and business ideations of our 8th cohort at the Omaha Correctional Center. We are SO excited to share that they graduated last week!

These shared dinners would not be possible without the food! So a special thank you to all the vendors who make these dinners possible. The food helps create a welcoming and enticing offer for families and participants to come back every week.

Research has shown that staying connected with family while incarcerated is wildly beneficial. It improves health, behavior, and can reduce the likelihood individuals will return to prison after being released.

Reentry is crisis. It's not uncommon to have a roof over your head one day and the threat of it being gone the next. Access to housing can help improve public safety, as research has shown it is correlated with decreases in crime and recidivism.

In February of 2022, RISE launched a pilot in-unit program at the Nebraska State Penitentiary where program participants live together in an intentional learning community while attending classes five days a week.

Andy is currently taking the Business Essentials portion of RISE's In Prison Program while finishing his time at a community corrections center. He's dyslexic and has never received assistance or treatment for his learning challenges.

The past two weeks at the legislature have been a whirlwind and it’s set to continue. With 812 legislative bills and 31 legislative resolutions/constitutional amendments introduced, the unicameral has its work cutout.

The Voting Rights Restoration Coalition is composed of over 30 statewide and local organizations. Our mission is to remove barriers to civic participation for those impacted by the criminal justice system. We want everyone to be able to access their right to vote, serve on a jury, and run for office.